
Ned Beatty
ActingAbout Ned Beatty
Ned Thomas Beatty (July 6, 1937 – June 13, 2021) was an American actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award; and won a Drama Desk Award. These nominations stemmed from his performances in films and TV series like Network (1976), Friendly Fire (1979), Last Train Home (1990), Hear My Song (1991) and the adaptation movie "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (2004). He had great commercial success in memorable roles such as the executive Bobby Trippe in Deliverance (1972), Tennessee lawyer Delbert Reese in Nashville (1975), general attorney Dardis in All the President's Men (1976), the priest Edwards in Exorcist II: The Heretic (1977), Lex Luthor's henchman Otis in Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), Bates' right hand man Sydney Morehouse in The Toy (1982), twice characters Borisov and Pavel Petrovic in The Fourth Protocol (1987), TV presenter Ernest Weller in Repossessed (1990), Rudy Ruettiger's father in Rudy (1993), detective McNair in Just Cause (1995), Ray and Claude's warden/employer Dexter Wilkins in Life (1999), the simple sheriff in Where the Red Fern Grows (2003), the corrupt Senator Charles F. Meachum in Shooter (2007), United States Congressman Doc Long in Charlie Wilson's War (2007) and the voice of antagonist Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear in Toy Story 3 (2010).
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ned Beatty reveals a career defined by exceptional commercial consistency. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Ned Beatty's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 76% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ned Beatty remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Crazy Horse, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Ned Beatty Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Ned Beatty's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ned Beatty.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Casting By | Self | Hit | Similar → |
| 2011 | Rango | Mayor (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | Toy Story 3 | Lotso (voice) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Charlie Wilson's War | Doc Long | Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Shooter | Senator Charles F. Meachum | Hit | Similar → |
| 2006 | Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut | Otis | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Sweet Land | Harmo | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Spring Forward | Murph | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Homicide: The Movie | Stanley Bolander | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Life | Dexter Wilkins | Hit | Similar → |
| 1999 | Cookie's Fortune | Lester Boyle | Average | Similar → |
| 1998 | He Got Game | Warden Wyatt | Hit | Similar → |
| 1996 | Crazy Horse | Dr. McGillicuddy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1995 | Just Cause | McNair | Average | Similar → |
| 1993 | La Classe américaine | Frédéric (archive footage) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1993 | Rudy | Daniel Ruettiger | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Lincoln | Dennis Hanks (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1992 | Earth and the American Dream | Reader (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1990 | The Tragedy of Flight 103: The Inside Story | Edward C. Acker | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | Spy | Thomas Ludlow | Hit | Similar → |
| 1988 | Go Toward the Light | George | Hit | Similar → |
| 1987 | The Fourth Protocol | Borisov | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Big Easy | Jack Kellom | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | Back to School | Dean Martin | Average | Similar → |
| 1985 | Restless Natives | Bender | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | Touched | Herbie | Hit | Similar → |
| 1983 | The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez | Lynch Mob Leader | Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | A Woman Called Golda | Sen. Durward | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1982 | The Making of 'Superman: The Movie' | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 1981 | All the Way Home | Ralph Follet | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Splendor in the Grass | Ace Stamper | Average | Similar → |
| 1980 | Superman II | Otis | Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Friendly Fire | Gene Mullen | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1980 | Hopscotch | Myerson | Hit | Similar → |
| 1979 | Wise Blood | Hoover Shoates | Average | Similar → |
| 1978 | Superman | Otis | Hit | Similar → |
| 1978 | Gray Lady Down | Mickey | Average | Similar → |
| 1977 | Our Town | Dr. Gibbs | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Mikey and Nicky | Kinney | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Silver Streak | Bob Sweet | Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | Network | Arthur Jensen | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1976 | All the President's Men | Dardis | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Deadly Tower | Allan Crum | Hit | Similar → |
| 1975 | Nashville | Delbert Reese | Hit | Similar → |
| 1974 | The Execution of Private Slovik | Father Stafford | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | Dying Room Only | Tom King | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Marcus-Nelson Murders | Det. Dan Corrigan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | The Thief Who Came to Dinner | Deams | Hit | Similar → |
| 1972 | The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean | Tector Crites | Average | Similar → |
| 1972 | Deliverance | Bobby Trippe | Hit | Similar → |
Ned Beatty - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Ned Beatty?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ned Beatty is "Crazy Horse" with a rating of 9.6/10.
How many movies has Ned Beatty acted in?
Ned Beatty has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Ned Beatty?
Other notable films include "Our Town", "Toy Story 3", and "Network".




